Luxury Living Blog

Welcome to our luxury living blog. Here you will find information on exotic cars, luxury car rentals, top 5 and top 10 lists, luxury news, events, stories of unbelievable wealth and much more. You can find out what the most expensive entrees and drinks are, and even read up on some bizarre foods. We scan the globe to discover what the latest luxury news holds, and pass on our plethora of knowledge and tips to our awesome readers and fan base. Hear of something exotic and interesting? Drop us an email and tell us about it! Where money is spent, the world is watching.

The Tesla Model S emerged as a more modestly priced and eco-gentle luxury vehicle. With its power and admirable trim options, it provides something for those not quite at the Maserati or Bentley levels but still craving a suitable daily. That may be changing with the introduction of the new Tesla Ludicrous Mode, an option to take the looker up a notch in the power arena and possibly compete with supercars.

Tesla Model S

Tesla Model X SUV

Is the Ludicrous Mode exactly what it claims to be? Let us examine the specs: The Tesla Model S Ludicrous Mode at a glance:

AWD P90D kicks out a 2.8 second not to 60 mile per hour jaunt. Not too shabby.

The underdogs include the 85D, 85, 70D and 70 trims. While the cockpits remain the same, range and performance are not ludicrous for these models.

Range is not sacrificed via a robust battery capacity and expanding supercharger network.

The Ludicrous Mode will be offered in the electric Model S sedan and the upcoming Model X SUV. The 0-60 mile per hour sprint will be 3.3 seconds for the Ludicrous SUV option.

The mode will tack on an additional $10,000, placing it right at the $100,000 level, depending on trim choices.

Overall, the Tesla Model S Ludicrous Mode should prove to be a welcomed option for those after a bit more power and range for their daily commutes. Word is that Tesla is possibly plotting a sexier roadster version to emerge in a few more years that will boast a “Maximum plaid” speed mode. Yes, that is a reference to the old blockbuster “Spaceballs”. Tesla is rounding out the fleet options with something for every taste, perhaps the brand is becoming a bigger competitor to the leading exotic sports vehicle brands than some realize, and they are not even being sneaky about it. Way to go, Tesla.

Previously we highlighted the upcoming Pinnacle Portfolio sale by RM Sotheby’s that is about to take place in Monterey, California. Among the coveted collection is a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione. This Ferrari is one of the most valuable collector pieces in the world, and RM Sotheby’s has emailed us with further details.

This Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione was delivered to Ferrari experts at Motion Products Inc. prior to arriving for its slot in the Pinnacle Portfolio of RM Sotheby’s. Notice the gorgeous yellow Sebring livery, which will certainly attract many spectators at any concours events, to which this particular car is a virgin. That is correct—the lucky new owner will be the first to show off this lady in proper style. This is but one of the approximately 30 specialty vehicles slated to change hands at the Pinnacle Portfolio event. Follow link to view the entire inventory with rich details on each and ever vehicle.

With the world barely grasping the idea of an autonomous vehicle, the University of Michigan is constructing a $10 million dollar, 32-acre driverless car city where companies can freely utilize and test their products. The city is named “M City”, fittingly, and the idea lends some interesting avenues to explore.

The clip above provides a brief synopsis of the overall goals and perks of M City along with helpful visuals.

The driverless car city would provide the ideal testing field in an urban setting, where things are constantly changing and the volume of vehicles and pedestrians is concentrated. How will autonomous vehicles react together in such a setting? That seems to be exactly what is on the agenda to learn and study prior to them becoming legal in regular cities with…you know, humans gripping the wheels.

M City is to be located on the grounds of the University of Michigan with funding from several automakers, including Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, Nissan and Honda. Interestingly, Google is not a part of this revolutionary project, perhaps feeling the burn of not thinking of it first. The cityscape will feature a typical spread of around 40 building structures to simulate a metropolis, complete with blind turns, tight squeezes, bridges and a traffic circle. They even tossed in some gravel to increase the challenges and ensure poor paint jobs.

The role of pedestrians in M City shall be played by robot dummies programmed to carelessly dart into traffic, perhaps to simulate standard city walkers transfixed with their nifty smartphones and other devices. Will driverless cars prove safer than traditional travel modes? What legal ramifications will unfold along with the technology? Overall, M City will pave the way to not only answer a variety of questions about autonomous vehicles and safety, but will indeed raise just as many new ones as situations unfold.

The McLaren brand is not known for churning out slackers, and the fierce McLaren 675LT is just naughty. Check out the clip below of the supercar tackling the track, complete with delicious close-ups of that throbbing engine and all of that carbon fiber!

Get an intense glimpse of the McLaren 675LT and an ear full of her now-famous acoustics. The notes and throbbing produced by the highly specialized engine have made for much fanfare in the game thus far.

The McLaren 675LT at a glance:

This model is a track-focused variant from the McLaren Super Series

It is both the lightest and most powerful track car crafted by the brand, tipping the scale at a scant 2,712 pounds.

Driver engagement is brought to an all-time high via a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine kicking out the acoustics of 666 horses. The devilish roar can be heard in the video clip, but be warned: you will want to watch it more than once.

The performance, drive and intoxicating sounds are being compared to the likes of the Lexus LFA supercar. The LFA gained much notoriety based on her sounds alone, but the speed and driver experience certainly did not hurt matters.

That rich color is called Napier Green

New lightweight titanium crossover exhaust

Wider stance and stiffer suspension tweaks for the track

Resurrected GT racing long tail heritage

The 675LT model is being built in the pristine McLaren Production Centre in Woking, England and is also undergoing extensive hyper testing to ensure that it is perfection on the pavement. The production run of just 500 units was confirmed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, with each unit will go for around $400,000 depending on the trim. Overall, it is well-worth the cost to catapult from not to 60 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds.

It does not seem that a mega brand like Maserati would require further marketing endeavors—but they seem to be interested in stretching out a bit in a luxurious fashion. The new Casa Maserati fashion house and lounge has just opened in Milan, catering to an exclusive type of clientele interested in a bit more to collect and indulge in by the brand. It seems that at this lounge, exotic sports cars are in fashion.

Casa Maserati gives brand fans the opportunity to shop a collection of products geared toward luxury. There is no mistaking the building, as it has a posh forecourt featuring strategically placed Maserati cars. The cars out front are rotated according to need, and serve to draw interest and a well-deserved stage for showing off. Customers at the upscale lounge have the chance to test drive models like the Maserati Quattroporte and the cheeky Ghibli with a professional driving instructor from the Maserati Driving School.

It is not uncommon for a quality automotive company to also offer a clothing line. Ferrari has provided Prancing Horse memorabilia and clothing for a long time, and even Bugatti has a few special pieces like the Legends Series clothing line designed to match each model in the collection.

One thing is for certain—Maserati has mastered the skill of creating an inviting atmosphere to indulge in their products. Keeping up with details and appearances is crucial in the luxury automotive arena, and big players like Maserati must consistently strive to separate themselves in some way. Maserati has achieved that task in a manner of utmost taste and class with the new entertainment establishment. Can’t make it to Milan? Visit the convenient online Maserati store!

The Aston Martin Milano Rapide S Dom Pérignon is the Champagne carrier for those who prefer their drinks at 100 miles per hour rather than shaken or stirred. The promotional car was crafted to celebrate the partnership between the Aston Martin Milano dealership and Dom Pérignon.

Photo credit Aston Martin Milano

What it is

It is an Aston Martin Rapide S with the trunk revised to form a very special space to store the illustrious Dom Pérignon brand Champagne. The official name is the Aston Martin Rapide S Dom Pérignon Deuxieme Plénitude Special Kit, and the removable cellar neatly displays three bottles of 1998 Dom along with two crystal glasses and proper bottle openers. This luxury kit would be an ideal setup for any car show or similar type gathering! Imagine traipsing about the green checking out all of the vehicles, and stumbling upon the lucky owner and their friends casually sipping chilled Dom Pérignon from the comfort of their own vehicle space, no lines.

Photo credit Aston Martin Milano

The dynamic pairing will set out on a promotional tour throughout some of Italy’s most prestigious resorts and restaurants, highlighting both their products and partnership. The cross-promotion extravaganza was designed to cater to the top clients of both brands and the special edition 2016 Aston Martin Rapide S will be available for order at the end of the tour.

Photo credit Aston Martin Milano

For those concerned that the setup may be just a touch too flashy, it all folds away into a classy Dom Pérignon emblazoned case with a little Aston Martin logo located beneath. This way, it can be understated and perhaps somewhat mysterious until the owner pops the trunk, the case and then the bottles! Photo credit Aston Martin Milano

The Raging Bull reimagined the supercar when it developed the carbon fiber Lamborghini Sesto Elemento a few years ago. With the body, drive shaft, suspension and chassis all made of the tough and lightweight material, it became a speed demon shedding the previous pounds that were holding some siblings back from achieving better performance figures. Just 20 examples of the Sesto Elemento were created, and it always makes headlines when one turns up for sale.

There is a Lamborghini Sesto Elemento for sale for anyone in the mood to deplete their bank accounts by $3 million dollars. The Sesto Elemento, or ‘sixth element’, is a brazen beast capable of annihilating the not to 60 mile per hour jaunt in a leisurely 2.5 seconds, traveling on to reach 100 miles per hour approximately 2 seconds later. The top speed for the Sesto is around 215+ miles per hour thanks to her trim 2, 200 pound curb weight—which is less than the diminutive Mazda Miata.

The engine is a throbbing track-focused V10 producing 507 horsepower. Considering the power-to-weight ratio and all-out lack of creature comforts inside of the cockpit, that is ample adrenaline to compete with the leading track cars out there. In fact, there are not even real seats inside, but rather, specially designed pads to separate the driver from the chassis. If that does not spell out serious racing intentions to potential buyers, they likely have no business looking into it.

Overall, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is intended for a very select crop of racing enthusiast collectors and will likely see very little of the blistering track time for which it was created because rare exotic cars of this nature are often kept in climate controlled places and meticulously preserved. What would you do with it if you could purchase this hyperbeast? Share below!

A perhaps new-to-the-game exotic car owner suffered the misfortune of crashing both his beloved Bentley and Lamborghini on the very same day! Reports read that the owner, 21-year-old Elijah Oyefeso, merely laughed-off the double exotic car crash…but we all know he must have wept silently into his car-shaped pillow later that night.

Elijah is said to be a young city trader doing rather well for himself—well enough to acquire and crash pricey exotic cars with nary a care. The clip above provides many angles of the damage to both vehicles.

So what exactly happened? It seems that both of the cars were crashed into one another near a supermarket parking lot in Essex during a Sunday morning joy ride. Elijah allowed a pal to drive the Bentley while he piloted the Lamborghini, because we all know that the Lambo is not going to carry home very many grocery items. The friend proceeded to rear-end the Lamborghini from behind the wheel of the Bentley, resulting in a bill much higher than the expected fuel costs of taking the toys out to play.

Elijah is quoted in the Mail Online as follows: “I don’t know at what point the crash happened. It was just the next thing I know he’s gone into the back of me. I don’t remember what happened. Afterwards I just started laughing. Life goes on, you know.” Spoken like a true rookie.

In the end, the young entrepreneur shared that it seems one of the two supercars, the Lamborghini, can be salvaged. Insurance is stepping up to cover the remaining pain with replacing the destroyed Bentley. It would be interesting to hear if the youngster has learned a perhaps valuable lesson, or if he would be willing to allow friends to drive his expensive machines in the future. After all, not everyone is in possession of the skills required to pilot such automobiles—or the bank accounts to sustain them!

The Range Rover SVAutobiography is writing the brand’s next chapter on power and prestige. The model emerged at the 2015 New York International Auto Show where it made the announcement that it would outdo its siblings in both the luxury trim and performance arenas.

The Range Rover SVAutobiography will replace the Range Rover Autobiography Black, but buyers should not be sad to see her go with so many new options and ponies. Those seeking some of the underling Land Rover products need not fret—the new technology will also serve those models in the future. Next-gen Range Rover changes will of course include both aesthetics and power, with the typical line in order of power and trim packages.

Special Vehicle Operations Technical Centre developed some exclusive features for the brand for the Range Rover SVAutobiography and upcoming models.

Tweaks and changes of previous technology will carry over to the entire fleet, ensuring that none get left in the dark ages.

The SVAutobiography gets a healthy 5.0-liter V8 supercharged engine and will clearly serve as the range-topper.

It will engage drivers with start-stop surround and rotary controls crafted from solid aluminum with gorgeous detailing. Nifty aluminum coat hooks will be in the rear for the business types.

The Range Rover SVAutobiography will be made available in standard and long wheelbase variants for the 2016 model year. Buyers will be able to choose an exclusive two-tone exterior option, which is a Santorini Black up top and a choice of nine colors for the bottom section. These options are nice, but it will not stop some from customizing further and creating an eyesore. That will be something to look forward to seeing on the streets!

Now that Ferrari is to become a bit separated from the rest of the family at Fiat, will luxury brand Maserati become the new flagship? Just last year Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne announced that the prestigious Ferrari brand would be spun off into its own sort-of entity in order to receive healthier gains for the company overall. What that means is that the majority of Ferrari shares remain with FCA, but now others have the ability to purchase stakes for the first time ever.

With Ferrari in it’s own cozy stable, does that make Maserati the new kingpin? According to some sources, Fiat is now grooming Maserati to become even more of a marquee than it already is, which would make it the Fiat front runner. Marchionne stated that Maserati is to become “the most coveted, exclusive brand that we have.”

To some this plan poses a bit of an issue, seeing as how Maserati currently only offers 3 models: the Ghibli, the Quattroporte and the Gran Turismo. Does this mean that Maserati intends to expand their portfolio with items like an SUV and a higher performance coupe and sedan offering in order to compete? With much competition to entice BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi customers, it could be a more sound move for Maserati to align its ambitions to compete with Bentley or Rolls-Royce. Overall, major brands are clearly providing more options in their lineups than ever before, with hybrid and electric offerings, eco-friendly little luxury SUVs and more, which will make it essential for Maserati to emerge from their standard approach of crafting a couple of flagships and relying on that adorable little logo. Fiat did not become such a powerhouse by accident, however, so they likely have quite the ace up their sleeve for the future of Maserati.